Low Fuel Engine Restarting

ABSTRACT

A fuel system includes a fuel tank, a fill neck through which fuel enters the tank, a fuel pump module located in the fuel tank, and a fuel retention component including a lower surface on which the fuel pump module is supported, first and second walls enclosing the lower surface, and a ramp directed from the fill neck toward the lower surface enclosed by the walls.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a fuel tank assembly, andmore particularly to the fuel pump module and the level of fuel presentat the inlet of the module when the tank contains a relatively lowvolume of fuel.

In some vehicles the vertical distance between the bottom of the vehicleand its flat floor is short, thereby requiring the fuel tank to be long,wide and short. When a fuel tank having this shape contains a low volumeof fuel, the fuel spreads over a large portion of the bottom surface ofthe tank. If the vehicle runs out of fuel, adding a small amount of fuelto a tank having this shape can fail to restart the engine because thespread out fuel is not deep enough to allow the pump to be primed.

A fuel pump module located in the tank requires a specific depth of fuelto prime the pump. If fuel in the tank is not present at the fuel pumpmodule with a sufficient depth, the engine cannot be restarted.

A need exists for a fuel tank assembly that ensures that a volume ofabout one gallon of fuel in the tank will provide a sufficient depth offuel at the fuel pump inlet to re-prime the pump and restart the engine,even for long, wide and short tanks.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An embodiment contemplates a fuel system that includes a fuel tank, afill neck through which fuel enters the tank, a fuel pump module locatedin the fuel tank, and a fuel retention component including a lowersurface on which the fuel pump module is supported, first and secondwalls enclosing the lower surface, and a ramp directed from the fillneck toward the lower surface enclosed by the walls.

The component has walls that retain fluid around the fuel pump module sothe vehicle can be restarted with a small amount of fuel, for example,about one gallon. The component allows fuel to travel to the fuel pumpmodule without restriction.

This component holds a level of fuel required for the fuel pump moduleto re-prime itself and supply the engine with enough fuel to start. Thecomponent allows the vehicle to be driven to a refueling station wherethe fuel tank can be refilled.

The scope of applicability of the preferred embodiment will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, claims and drawings.It should be understood, that the description and specific examples,although indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given byway of illustration only. Various changes and modifications to thedescribed embodiments and examples will become apparent to those skilledin the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial top perspective view of a fuel tank showing a fuelretention component located within the tank;

FIG. 2 is side of the view of the fuel retention component and a fuelpump module; and

FIG. 3 is top perspective view of the fuel retention component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a fuel tank 10 (shownonly in FIG. 1) for a motor vehicle, a fuel pump module 12 installed inthe tank 10, and a fuel retention component 14 located within the tank10 in its assembled position. The cylindrical portion 16 of the fuelpump module 12 is located on, or slightly above, the lower surface 18 ofthe fuel retention component 14. A circular top assembly 20 is supportedon the upper surface of the tank 10. The lower surface 22 of the tank 10supports the fuel retention component 14.

During a low-fuel refilling procedure, fuel carried in a fill neck 24enters the tank 10 and is directed along a duct 26 onto the lowersurface 18 of the fuel retention component 14. Preferably duct 26 isinclined downward toward the lower surface 18 of the fuel retentioncomponent 14.

The retention component 14, which is seen best in FIGS. 2 and 3,includes a first wall 30, which extends upward and substantiallyperpendicular from the lower surface 18 and along a portion of theperimeter of the lower surface. A second wall 32 extends upward andsubstantially perpendicular from the lower surface 18 and along a secondportion of the perimeter of the lower surface.

The first wall 30 encloses a first portion of the lower surface 18. Thesecond wall 32 encloses a second portion of the lower surface 18. Aportion of the second wall 32 is spaced laterally from the first wall30. A first channel 34, communicating with the enclosed lower surface 18and formed between the first and second walls 30, 32, terminates at anopen end 36, which communicates with the fuel tank 10 (shown in FIG. 1).Similarly, a shorter second channel 38, communicating with the enclosedlower surface 18 and formed between the first and second walls 30, 32,terminates at an open end 40, which communicates with the fuel tank 10.

The heights of the walls 30, 32 can be adjusted depending on the volumeof fuel required to be retained around the inlet 42 at the bottom of thefuel pump module 12, which is supported on the lower surface 18 of theinternal fluid retention component 14. Presence of fuel at inlet 42permits the fuel pump module 12 to re-prime itself after the tank 10 isrefilled with fuel.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, during normal operation of the fuel system, fuelin tank 10 enters component 14 through the open channels 34, 38, whichextend along the perimeter of component 14. The channels 34, 38 routefuel on the lower surface 18 where the fuel pump module 12 is located. Afuel pump in the module 12 supplies fuel to a fuel induction system (notshown) and to an engine (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 3, the lower surface 18 may be formed with bumps 44,which assist in retaining the desired location of the fuel pump module12 in the component 14.

The fuel retention component 14 is preferably made of plastic materialformed by injection molding, but may be made of other materials andformed in other ways, if so desired.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been describedin detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relateswill recognize various alternative designs and embodiments forpracticing the invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A fuel system for a vehicle, comprising: a fuel tank; a fuel pumpmodule; a fuel retention component located in the fuel tank, andincluding a lower surface supporting the fuel pump module, and a firstwall having a length that extends along at least a portion of aperimeter of the lower surface.
 2. The fuel system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a fill neck through which fuel enters the fuel tank; and aduct directed from the fill neck toward the lower surface.
 3. The fuelsystem of claim 1, further comprising: a second wall having a secondlength that extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of thelower surface and spaced from the first wall; and a channel locatedbetween portions of the lengths of the first and second walls, having afirst end communicating with the lower surface and a second endcommunicating with the fuel tank, the channel providing a fluid passagethrough which fuel can flow between the fuel tank and the lower surface.4. The fuel system of claim 1, wherein the walls are substantiallynormal to, and extend from the lower surface.
 5. The fuel system ofclaim 1, wherein: the first wall extends along a first portion of thelower surface; and the second wall extends along a second portion of thelower surface, a portion of the second wall being spaced laterally fromthe first wall, a channel communicating with the enclosed lower surfacebeing formed between the first and second walls.
 6. The fuel system ofclaim 1, wherein the ramp is inclined downward toward the lower surfaceand is at least partially supported on one of the walls.
 7. The fuelsystem of claim 1, wherein the lower surface is located between the fuelpump module and a bottom surface of the fuel tank.
 8. A fuel system fora vehicle, comprising: a fuel tank; a fill neck through which fuelenters the tank; a fuel pump module located in the fuel tank; and a fuelretention component located in the fuel tank including a lower surfacecontacting the fuel pump module, first and second walls extending alongat least portions of a perimeter of the lower surface, and a ductdirected from the fill neck toward the lower surface.
 9. The fuel systemof claim 8, wherein the walls form a channel having an open end throughwhich fuel can enter and exit the lower surface.
 10. The fuel system ofclaim 8, wherein the walls are substantially normal to and extend fromthe lower surface.
 11. The fuel system of claim 8, wherein: the firstwall encloses a first portion of the lower surface; and the second wallencloses a second portion of the lower surface, a portion of the secondwall being spaced laterally from the first wall, a channel communicatingwith the enclosed lower surface being formed between the first andsecond walls.
 12. The fuel system of claim 8, wherein the ramp isinclined downward toward the lower surface enclosed by the walls and issupported on one of the walls.
 13. The fuel system of claim 8, whereinthe lower surface is located between the fuel pump module and a bottomsurface of the fuel tank.